18/05/2022
The new duties on employers and manufacturers for high-risk crystalline silica are now in force
Crystalline silica is contained in engineered stone, ceramic tiles, concrete, bricks, and marble products. High-risk crystalline silica work can create hazardous dust, which, if inhaled, can cause deadly lung and respiratory diseases, such as silicosis.
On 15 May 2022, new duties requiring businesses working with crystalline silica to identify and document high-risk crystalline silica work and the risk control measures they have in place came into force.
The new duties will affect Victorian businesses in various industries, including quarrying, construction, and tunnelling.
Employers are also required to provide safety training and instruction to any employees and information to any job applicants who may engage in high-risk crystalline silica work.
Manufacturers and suppliers of crystalline silica products must now provide a statement outlining the percentage of crystalline silica in the substance and information about safe handling and exposure controls.
The changes were introduced in November last year as part of the Occupational Health and Safety Amendment (Crystalline Silica) Regulations 2021.
The regulations extended the ban, first made in 2019, on uncontrolled dry-cutting, grinding and polishing of engineered stone.
As part of the regulations, businesses working with engineered stone were given 12 months to register for an Australian-first licensing scheme.
WorkSafe also invites public comment on a proposed update to the ‘Managing Exposure to Crystalline Silica: Engineered Stone Compliance Code’.
The code outlines how duty holders can comply with their duties under the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 and the OHS Amendment (Crystalline Silica) Regulations 2021.
To have your say visit engage.vic.gov.au/engineered-stone-compliance-code. Consultation is open until 14 June 2022.
